Professor Yunus visited Benin on 20 February on invitation of HE Dr Boni Yayi, President of Benin. The government of Benin is launching microfinance for the poor as a national strategy and had invited Professor Yunus to visit this West African nation and share his experiences. Professor Yunus delivered a special lecture at the Palace in the presence of the President, all cabinet ministers and other top policy makers of the country. He also visited special poverty alleviation project which included a grand and colorful meeting with 5000 micro credit borrowers. At the end of his visit, Professor Yunus was decorated in the "Order of Benin" by the Grand Chancellor of Decoration in a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou on 20th February 2008.

[Photograph: Professor Muhammad Yunus with President of Benin, Dr Boni Yayi.  The President ceremonially robed  Professor Yunus in national dress at the Presidential Palace on 20 February 2008]